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CRITIC REVIEWS
100
It manages to be as lyrically unflinching as the music is compelling – not the easiest balance to achieve, as acres of terrible protest songs historically attest. You’d call it the album of the year if its predecessor wasn’t just as good.
100
In a little over six minutes, SAULT manage to demonstrate more excellence than other groups could muster over an album’s length.
90
It’s a phenomenal record, undoubtedly one of the finest to be released this year – in its mood, kineticism, and an adorned darkness, ‘Untitled (Rise)’ captures something truly remarkable about this chaotic era.
90
Sault return in double quick time with another stab at winning the award for album of the year.
90
5, 7, Untitled (Black Is), and Untitled (Rise), issued within 16 months, amount to exactly three hours of exceptionally recombinant and enriching pro-black music with minimal excess. The rate and power of the output is stupefying
81
More than writing simple protest songs, they are creating what is arguably some of the most life-affirming and confrontational music released in recent years – and all of it comes at a much-needed time.
80
The fight for Black lives deserves art that mirrors the depth of the crisis and the spirit of the movement. SAULT’s work rises superbly to the task.
Black rage. It's always been one of the biggest driving elements to the constant drive to protest every form of systemic racism. It's a rage that's the product of self-awareness of the reality of our standing as people in the face of the American Empire. It's a constant rage, one that erupts even within me every now and then. As put eloquently by the illustrious James Baldwin:
"To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a state of rage almost, almost all of ... read more
Lot of people here saying Rise is better than Black Is... psh you know it ain't. Sorry I wanted to get that in there. On first listen, I was quite sure that I enjoyed Rise more. Coming back to these two releases, I'm feeling the opposite as of now. SAULT's Untitled (Black Is) had moments of Afro-soul, bass-driven groove, beautiful vocal sampling, an RTJ-esque beat with Stop Dem, and a clear driving theme of Black pride. The synth-heavy moments on the latter half are awe-inspiring.
On Untitled ... read more
Edit: Nvm i was just being picky this is pretty great
So, this album just became the highest rated album of the year (critic score), tied with Fiona Apple’s Fetch the Bolt Cutters so I was intrigued to check this out, to say the least. I was also really intrigued by the fact that I had never heard of SAULT prior to seeing this hit number 1 in the critic scores. After listening to this record, I’m still confused about who or what a SAULT is, and am also confused as to why this is ... read more
Untitled (Rise) is quite a good album, with fun songs that get your mood up while also having good serious songs. Though I feel as some of the tracks fall a little short, and some with no real meaning to be included.
Best Songs: Strong, Free, Fearless
Worst Songs: No Black Violins in London, You Know It Ain’t, Street Fighter
Strong - 100
Fearless - 97
Rise - 86
I Just Want to Dance - 88
Street Fighter - 59
Son Shine - 81
Rise Intently - 83
The Beginning & the End - 73
Free - 98
You ... read more
The critics are trippin. It's a decent album, sure, but nowhere near #2 of 2020... That being said, it's better than Black in my opinion, but it's definitely not their best.
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Track List
| 1 | Strong 6:18 | 88 |
| 2 | Fearless 4:09 | 80 |
| 3 | Rise 1:01 | 70 |
| 4 | I Just Want To Dance 4:21 | 81 |
| 5 | Street Fighter 3:09 | 69 |
| 6 | Son Shine 3:16 | 85 |
| 7 | Rise Intently 0:50 | 56 |
| 8 | The Beginning & the End 3:38 | 67 |
| 9 | Free 5:05 | 80 |
| 10 | You Know It Ain't 3:38 | 44 |
| 11 | Uncomfortable 3:16 | 66 |
| 12 | No Black Violins in London 1:28 | 52 |
| 13 | Scary Times 3:39 | 65 |
| 14 | The Black & Gold 3:04 | 76 |
| 15 | Little Boy 3:53 | 69 |
Total Length: 50 minutes
Year End Lists
| #1 | / | KCRW |
| #1 | / | Noisey |
| #1 | / | Sound Opinions: Greg Kot |
| #1 | / | The Philadelphia Inquirer: Dan DeLuca |
| #1 | / | The Vinyl Factory |
| #1 | / | Variety: Jem Aswad |
| #2 | / | Dummy |
| #2 | / | Gorilla vs. Bear |
| #3 | / | The Ringer |
| #4 | / | OOR |
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Added on: September 17, 2020